Imagine this: a new type of zoo where animals roam free. There are no cages, no walls, and no barriers separating you from the lions, tigers, and bears. Oh my, right?
So, the question is—would you go? Unless you are immortal, there is a very low chance that your answer is yes. Even if there were multiple posters plastered around the zoo saying, “Don’t worry, you are safe,” would you actually feel safe or would you be worried you’d turn into today’s special for an animal?
This may be a stretch, but in our minds, this no-barriers zoo functions similarly to website security. Just like we as humans feel comfortable watching zoo animals behind a thick glass window or a steel-barred cage, when it comes to website security, there is comfort in seeing a website URL with HTTPS instead of HTTP.
Not sure what those mean? Let us explain. Here is the difference between HTTP vs HTTPS and why having an SSL is so important.
But first…
A mini history lesson: Back in 2018, Google unleashed Chrome 68—an updated version of its internet browser, Google Chrome. Since then, Chrome has been updated several times, but what made Chrome 68 such a pinnacle update was that Google Chrome would now display websites without security protocol as “Not Secure.”
When you look at the URL, if the website says HTTP instead of HTTPS, the site does not have SSL protocol. It may seem overly dramatic that one letter can completely change the perceived security of a site, but the fact remains.
Is being listed as “Not Secure” really a big deal?
Yes. Definitely. While most people may not notice if your URL is HTTP or HTTPS, they will definitely notice if there is a “Not Secure” display next to your URL. In casual terms? The “Not Secure” sign gives off bad juju vibes. In professional terms? Potential customers question your credibility as a company. Can they trust you with their credit card info? Or will hackers be able to steal information more easily? Or even worse, are they willingly giving you information that you personally will use against them? All these doubts can have a negative effect on your sales.
How do I join the HTTPS club?
So, how do you go from an HTTP to an HTTPS? You get an SSL. An SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, secures the connection between the visitor and the company. SSLs encrypt any sensitive information (credit card info, logins, and other private information) being passed between the two systems, making your transactions safe and your perceived credibility high. Having an SSL is important for any site, but is especially crucial for those in the e-commerce setting. This leads us to our next point…
How do I get an SSL certificate?
GoDaddy provides various SSL certificates to secure your websites at whatever budget you’re working with. You can protect one website for as low as $5.34 a month, secure up to five websites for $13.34, or protect all subdomains for one website for $24.67.
Need more info? Our team of GoDaddy Pros can build you a secure website and find a level of security that best fits your needs. Contact our team today to get started!
